ilra.Mitm 

0f 

Japan  anii  iManrhnrta 


$ 


By  REV.  T.  C.  WINN,  D.  D. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2017  with  funding  from 
Princeton  Theological  Seminary  Library 


https://archive.org/details/mrswinnofjapanmaOOwinn 


Myb.  Himt 

nf  Japan  anb  Hlanrijurm 


We  have  all  seen  photographs  of  absent  loved 
ones  and  thought  that  they  were  good.  But  nev- 
er did  any  one  see  in  the  best  photograph,  the 
beauty  of  soul  which  shone  from  the  dear  face 
and  eyes. 

In  returning  home  this  time,  I came  convinced 
that  I could  render  no  better  service  to  those  who 
heard  me  than  to  tell  them  something  of  the  one 
I knew  and  loved  the  best  of  all. 

I feel,  however,  that  my  best  word-portrait  will 
fall  far  short  of  being  a true  picture  of  the  real 
achievements  of  that  life  of  faith. 

Lila  C.  Winn  was  a woman  who  did  not  know 
the  meaning  of  selfishness.  Such  a feeling  I verily 
believe  never  had  a place  in  her  heart.  Her 

thoughts  and  plans  were  always  for  others.  She 

unfailingly  devoted  her  effort  and  labor  to  the  help 
and  good  of  those  within  her  reach.  She  was  de- 
voted in  mind  and  body  to  every  good  thing  pos- 
sible of  accomplishment.  And  it  was  always  the 
marvel  of  those  who  knew  her  that  she  could  ac- 
complish so  much.  She  was  always  finding  good 

deeds  to  perform  where  others  were  idle.  They 

were  idle  because  they  did  not  see  any  thing  to  do, 
or  any  thing  they  thought  they  could  do.  Her 
eyes  and  heart  instinctively  saw  the  needs  of  oth- 


ers.  And  her  hands  and  feet,  impelled  by  love, 
set  about  supplying  those  needs. 

As  I was  passing  through  Osaka,  on  my  way 
home  in  May,  a friend  upon  whom  I called,  then 
living  in  the  house  we  formerly  occupied,  recalled 
to  me  some  instances  which  I perhaps  never  thought 
of  except  as  a matter  of  course  in  her  life.  The 
friend  said,  “I  came  here  on  an  errand  one  day, 
and  I found  to  my  surprise  Mrs.  Winn  washing 
and  binding  up  the  sore  leg  of  a poor  coolie  she 
had  met  on  the  streets  and  persuaded  to  come  home 
with  her  that  she  might  thus  minister  to  him.’*  She 
also  said,  “I  can  never  forget  what  I once  wit- 
nessed in  this  front  hall.  I walked  into  the  open 
door  unexpectedly  to  Mrs.  Winn  and  there  I saw 
her  down  on  her  knees  praying  for  a Japanese 
woman  whom  she  had  apparently  been  teaching, 
and  it  seemed  as  though  she  could  not  let  the 
woman  go  until  she  believed  on  the  Savior.” 

Her  sympathy  was  not  restricted  to  the  lowly. 
Those  in  high  and  even  highest  circles  were  objects 
of  her  love,  and  for  their  best  welfare  her  efforts 
were  put  forth.  She  never  hesitated  to  seek  out 
those  who  would  naturally  think  themselves  rich 
and  in  need  of  nothing,  and  try  to  minister  to  their 
spiritual  good. 

These  things,  which  are  only  examples  of  her 
unremittent  service  rendered  to  others,  witness  to 
the  fact  that  she  never  thought  of  saving  her  life; 
nor  seemed  to  be  conscious  that  she  lost  it  for  oth- 
ers’ sake! 

She  was  a diligent  woman,  ever  working  up  to 
the  limit  of  her  physical  powers.  The  day  when 
she  was  most  suddenly  called  away,  I felt  that  she 
had  literally  worn  herself  out.  Her  powers  had 
4 


been  exhausted  by  her  incessant  labors.  She  was 
never,  almost  literally  never,  known  to  sit  down 
for  idle  chat  and  conversation  as  many  of  us  fre- 
quently do.  If  not  too  tired,  and  tired  she  seldom 
acknowledged  that  she  was,  some  useful  work  em- 
ployed her  busy  fingers.  Few  persons  are  as  un- 
ceasingly busy  while  engaged  in  social  conversation, 
as  she  was.  That  social  chat  was  ever  made  the 
opportunity  of  introducing  something  religious  and 
helpful  to  faith  and  joy  in  the  Lord.  While  I 
would  be  thinking  out  the  best  way  of  approach 
to  a caller’s  heart,  it  often  happened  that  she  would 
introduce  the  subject  in  a most  natural  and  tactful 
manner,  so  that  the  conversation  easily  turned  in 
that  direction.  Religious  things  formed  the  subject 
upon  which  she  could  talk  more  easily  than  upon 
almost  any  other.  It  is  what  her  heart  was  full  of 
and  out  of  its  abundance  she  spoke. 

When  travelling  to  Mission  Meeting  one  sum- 
mer, we  had  an  hour  to  wait  at  a station.  When 
she  found  that  out  she  said  she  wanted  to  make  a 
call  on  a young  man  and  his  parents.  He  was 
sick  and  she  would  surely  find  them  all  at  home. 
The  young  man,  formerly  her  Sunday  school 
scholar,  had  finished  the  grammar  school.  * It  was 
borne  in  upon  her  heart  that  she  ought  to  encour- 
age him  to  study  for  the  Christian  ministry.  She 
was  back  on  time  as  promised,  and  had  made  a 
sincere  effort  to  help  one  more  see  his  duty  and 
privilege.  Later,  word  came  that  that  exhortation 
had  enabled  parents  and  son  to  dedicate  his  life  to 
the  Gospel  ministry.  Here  is  illustration  of  being 
zealous  in  season  and  out  of  season,  which  was 
unceasingly  exemplified  by  her.  Scarcely  a day 


•was  allowed  to  pass,  without  trying  to  save  or 
bless  some  souls. 

She  was  a good  Bible  student  and  knew  the 
Scriptures  well.  It  was  generally  possible  for  her 
to  turn  to  any  passage  she  wished.  When  a girl 
yet  in  her  teens,  she  read  aloud  to  her  grand- 
mother whose  eyes  were  dim,  most  if  not  all  of 
Scott’s  Commentary.  That  exercise  fixed  in  her 
memory  a large  amount  of  Bible  knowledge  which 
was  ready  at  call  for  her  use.  Many  of  her  ex- 
planations of  Bible  texts  were  original  and  eluci- 
dating. Her  thoughts  about  the  sacred  Book  were 
beautiful  and  instructive.  These  ideas  expressed 
her  experience  of  the  truths  she  taught,  and 
gave  them  a singular  power  as  uttered  by  her.  I 
received  a series  of  resolutions  which  were  passed 
by  the  W.  C.  T.  U.  ladies  at  their  annual  sum- 
mer meeting  this  year  (1913).  Those  resolutions 
ended  with  the  statement  that  they  were  sent: 

“Remembering  with  loving  appreciation  the  in- 
terest Mrs.  T.  C.  Winn  always  shared  in  the  work 
of  this  society,  and  having  felt  the  spiritual  power 
she  exercised  over  those  with  whom  she  came  in 
contact,  with  special  thought  of  the  helpful  devo- 
tional service,”  (a  Bible  reading),  “she  led  here  a 
year  ago.” 

She  was  sociable  and  took  the  greatest  pleasure 
in  showing  hospitality.  It  was  done  with  such 
grace  and  kindliness  that  the  most  timid  was  won 
to  her.  Our  home  was  a place  to  which  all 
classes  were  welcomed  and  loved  to  come.  Many 
have  found  it  to  be  an  example  of  a true  home. 
It  was  because  of  the  little  woman  who  presided 
over  her  house  in  such  a Christ-like  spirit. 

Just  one  month  after  we  had  laid  the  dear  form 

6 


away  to  await  the  resurrection,  a young  lady  mis- 
sionary on  her  way  to  Chefoo  called  at  my  door 
and  asked  if  Mrs.  Winn  was  at  home.  She  said 
she  had  received  the  kindest  care  from  Mrs.  Winn 
when  landing  an  entire  stranger  in  Dairen  a year 
or  two  before,  and  she  wanted  to  come  around 
with  her  husband  to  give  expression  to  her  grati- 
tude. 

Here  is  a tribute  from  the  necrological  report  of 
the  Council  of  Presbyterian  and  Reformed  Mis- 
sions : 

“Without  undue  reflection  on  any  one,  we  may 
still  properly  say  that  there  are  ideal  missionary 
homes,  ideal  missionary  wives,  and  ideal  missionary 
mothers.  The  members  of  the  council  will  agree 
that  Mrs.  Winn  attained  the  ideal  in  a degree  per- 
mitted to  few;  and  her  example,  the  example  of 
the  home  of  which  she  was  the  center,  may  well 
be  a stimulus  to  us  all  to  strive  for  the  very  best 
things  and  the  highest.” 

From  very  early  years,  she  was  a personal  work- 
ei  and  soul  winner.  After  hearing  of  her  death, 
a friend  wrote:  “Lila  used  to  talk  to  me  and  try 
to  get  me  to  become  a Christian  when  we  were 
children  together  in  the  primary  school.  I think 
that  was  her  life.” 

The  mission  to  which  she  belonged  made  this 
entry  upon  its  minutes:  “Resolved,  That  the  Mis- 
sion puts  on  record  its  deep  sense  of  loss  in  the 
death  of  Mrs,  T.  C.  Winn  and  its  appreciation  of 
the  qualities  of  heart  and  mind  which  made  of  her 
a missionary  above  our  power  to  praise.  She 
turned  many  to  righteousness  and  she  will  r.hine  as 
the  brightness  of  the  firmament  and  as  the  stars 
for  ever  and  ever.  offer  to  her  bereaved  hus- 


7 


band  and  children  the  heartfelt  sympathy  of  a mis- 
sion which  admired  and  loved  her,  and  which  will 
never  cease  to  remember  the  example  she  has  set 
of  a follower  of  Christ  who  pleased  not  herself 
and  was  ever  in  her  work  as  one  who  served.” 
What  follows  is  an  extract  from  the  Board’s  let- 
ter: 

‘‘Mrs.  Winn  was  a graduate  of  Knox  College, 
Galesburg,  Illinois,  a woman  of  disciplined  and 
cultured  mind,  of  unusual  attractiveness  of  person- 
ality, of  a nature  so  loving  that  it  drew  all  about 
her  into  her  friendship,  of  great  skill  and  tact  in 
dealing  with  those  for  whom  she  was  working,  and 
of  such  kindliness  and  good  sense  that  her  presence 
was  counted  a great  blessing  in  any  mission  station 
to  which  she  might  be  assigned.  In  Dairen  and 
throughout  Manchuria  she  worked  with  unceasing 
energy  among  the  Japanese  to  make  Christ  known 
to  them;  and  to  win  them  to  faith  in  Christ  and  to 
the  joy  and  strength  of  Christian  discipleship  was 
her  one  absorbing  endeavor.” 

Wherever  duty  took  her;  even  in  the  market 
place  and  shop,  among  callers  and  trades  people 
who  came  only  to  the  door,  very  few  who  came 
in  contact  with  her  failed  to  receive  some  message 
about  what  was  the  dearest  subject  to  her  heart — - 
the  love  of  God  for  sinful  men. 

In  my  mind,  these  words  were  always  asso- 
ciated with  her,  ‘‘He  that  roweth  bountifully  shall 
reap  also  bountifully.”  It  was  because  she  sowed 
beside  all  waters,  ‘‘the  good  seed  which  is  the 
word  of  God,”  that  the  things  which  I’ve  quoted 
could  be  said  of  her  by  her  Mission  and  Board. 

She  was  unceasingly  visitmg  homes  and  hospi- 
tals to  carry  delicacies  as  well  as  to  read  the  Word 

8 


of  God  and  to  sing  hymns  for  the  comfort  and 
cheer  of  the  inmates.  I have  a photograph  taken 
of  her  as  she  stood  beside  the  bicycle  on  which 
she  daily  went  around  the  city  to  minister  physical 
and  spiritual  gifts  alike.  She  did  not  ride  for  the 
mental  or  bodily  enjoyment  of  it,  but  because  she 
was  enabled  by  it  to  accomplish  so  much  more 
than  would  otherwise  have  been  possible.  She  and 
her  bicycle  were  familiar  objects  in  every  part  of 
the  city. 

Mrs.  Winn’s  personality  was  attractive.  She 
could  gather  people  around  her  in  a wonderful 
way  and  hold  them  while  the  story  of  salvation 
was  presented  to  them.  Many  have  been  the 
times  when  I sat  in  my  study  and  listened,  while 
in  another  part  of  the  house  she  kept  a room  full 
of  women  convulsed  with  laughter  at  her  wit- 
ticisms as  she  was  demonstrating  something  in  cook- 
ing or  fancy  work.  This  was  only  preparatory  to 
teaching  them  the  Bible  lesson  she  had  chosen  for 
the  day.  At  her  funeral  a man  representing  one 
of  the  groups  of  Christians  in  the  country  spoke  of 
this  fact.  He  said  it  had  impressed  itself  upon  his 
mind.  At  times,  he  remarked,  it  was  difficult  to 
understand  what  she  said,  (she  was  not  what  is 
called  a good  speaker  of  Japanese),  but  yet  people 
would  gather  to  hear  her.  “If  I should  talk  in 
that  way,’’  he  said,  “peopie  would  run  away 
from  me.  Instead  of  being  attracted  they  would 
be  repelled;  and  yet  they  would  gladly  come  ta 
hear  her.’’ 

Here  let  it  be  added,  that  in  an  emergency 
she  could  be  relied  upon  to  take  charge  of  almost 
any  kind  of  service  that  might  be  lacking  a leader. 
She  was  seldom  at  a loss  for  a Bible  subject  upon 

9 


which  to  speak,  but  in  a marked  degree,  verified 
the  Savior’s  words:  “He  that  believeth  on  me, 
from  within  him  shall  flow  rivers  of  living  water.” 

In  her  work  she  was  resourceful.  She  was  not 
restricted  to  set  ways  of  doing  things,  but  was  in- 
ventive of  new  methods.  Moreover  there  was  little 
in  the  way  of  womanly  accomplishments  at  which 
she  was  not  an  adept.  Our  children’s  clothes  were 
most  of  them  her  handiwork.  All  four  of  them 
were  fitted  by  her  for  the  High  School  before  they 
returned  to  this  country  to  complete  their  educa- 
tion. The  forenoons  were  given  to  their  class  room 
work,  while  the  afternoons  were  devoted  to  such 
activities  as  I have  hinted  at. 

During  the  last  two  years  of  her  life  we  were 
more  than  ever  engaged  in  touring  together.  May 
I give  you  an  idea  of  how  she  spent  her  time  on 
one  of  those  tours?  The  first  place  at  which  we 
stopped  would  be  thirty  to  sixty  miles  away.  Ar- 
riving there,  two  or  three  meetings  were  the  order; 
one  for  women,  one  for  children  and  the  third  for 
a mixed  audience  of  men  and  women. 

Alighting  from  the  train,  the  dear  woman  would 
begin  her  activities  at  once.  Calls  were  made  to 
invite  people  to  the  meetings.  Things  were  bought, 
by  herself  often,  for  the  cooking  class.  If  no  cook- 
ing class  was  to  be  held,  the  time  on  the  cars  had 
been  occupied  by  making  sample  pieces  of  knitting 
<or  crocheting  which  the  class  was  to  be  taught. 
She  did  this  kind  of  work  which  taxed  her  phys- 
ically, because  she  believed  a knowledge  of  these 
things  added  to  the  comfort  of  families,  (and  we 
had  proof  of  it),  and  because  by  teaching  them, 
many  women  were  reached  who  would  not  be  in 
any  other  way.  After  a most  strenuous  hour  or 
10 


hour  and  a half  at  the  woman’s  meeting,  she  would 
hasten  to  the  children’s  class — a Sunday  school  on 
a week  day.  To  these  children  her  best  efforts 
would  be  given  in  teaching  them  Bible  verses  and 
hymns.  Her  aim  with  children  was  to  get  them  to 
memorize  Bible  texts  and  hymns ; fully  believing 
that  truth  thus  implanted  in  the  heart  would  bring 
forth  fruit  in  the  life.  At  the  end  of  these  two 
meetings  there  were  generally  some  who  were  called 
upon,  in  order  to  teach  or  exhort  them.  Then 
came  our  supper,  consisting  of  what  our  lunch  bas- 
kets supplied.  Before  time  for  the  evening  meeting, 
a few  minutes  were  snatched  for  rest.  At  the 
preaching  service  her  duty  was  to  take  care  of  the 
music.  Generally  the  day  closed  with  a social 
time  when  religious  and  other  subjects  were  talked 
over.  To  reach  the  next  place  on  our  journey 
might  require  an  all  night’s  ride  on  the  cars,  or 
only  until  two  or  three  hours  past  midnight.  In 
the  latter  case  the  journey  would  be  interrupted 
and  a pallet  on  the  floor  in  a Japanese  house  would 
be  sought,  where  the  night’s  rest  would  be  finished. 
This  program  with  some  variation  was  followed 
from  Monday  till  Saturday,  twice  a month.  In  all 
these  experiences  and  circumstances  her  spirit  was 
serene  and  sweet.  Her  heart  overflowed  with 
gladness  because  these  things  could  be  done  in 
Jesus’  Name. 

This  highest  of  all  purposes  had  absolute  mas- 
tery of  her  affections  and  powers;  and  all  she  had 
was  consecrated  to  it. 

She  could  say,  “This  one  thing  I do.”  And  it 
required  a very  serious  thing  to  prove  a hindrance 
or  interruption  of  what  she  had  planned  to  attempt. 
Moreover,  she  never  acknowledged  defeat.  If  oth- 
11 


ers  thought  her  worsted  she  would  not  believe  it. 
If  insurmountable  difficulties  rose  to  block  her  way, 
she  would,  so  to  speak,  calmly  walk  around  them 
and  proceed  unperturbed  on  her  course. 

When  a little  girl  she  had  made  up  her  mind  to 
be  a missionary  to  the  heathen.  But  she  thought 
that  being  a missionary  involved  being  burned  at 
the  stake.  I have . heard  her  happy  laugh  at  the 
ludicrousness  of  her  childhood  thoughts,  as  she 
told  me  that  she  used  to  open  the  door  of  her 
mother’s  heated  oven  and  put  her  hand  in  and 
hold  it  there  to  see  if  she  could  endure  the  pain 
of  being  burned  alive!  But  notwithstanding  her 
belief  as  to  what  it  meant,  she  was  not  moved  from 
her  determination  to  be  a missionary. 

Once  she  was  attacked  by  a painful  eye  disease. 
The  doctor  came  to  treat  her  and  found  it  neces- 
sary to  tightly  bandage  her  eyes  and  shut  out  all 
the  light  for  a time.  During  those  days  we  sup- 
posed of  course  she  would  rest  and  be  quiet  at 
home.  But  no  such  thought  was  hers,  and  meet 
her  engagements  she  would!  She  had  a jinrikisha 
called,  and  to  the  coolie  who  pulled  it  she  en- 
trusted herself,  while  she  directed  him  where  to 
take  her.  In  this  way  she  conducted  meet- 
ings, and  went  about  calling  from  house  to  house, 
probably.  At  two  different  times  she  was  seri- 
ously hurt  upon  the  streets  of  Osaka  by  collision 
with  rapidly  moving  jinrikishas.  Both  times  the 
family  doctor  put  her  to  bed,  but  she  refused  to 
stay  there  and  went  on  with  her  service  to  which 
love  constrained  her,  enduring  much  suffering  the 
while. 

Since  she  has  gone,  the  many,  many  letters  of 
Condolence  that  came  from  Europeans,  and  the 
12 


sayings  of  the  Japanese,  agreed  in  showing  the  very 
highest  regard  for  her:  “Thank  you  very  much 
for  writing  about  Mrs.  Winn's  falling  asleep.  It 
was  not  a bit  like  death,  was  it?  Just  like  a child 
who  has  grown  so  tired  and  weary,  holding  out  to 
the  last  ounce  of  strength  and  then  giving  up  with- 
out a struggle,  and  being  carried  off  to  sleep  and 
rest.  One  does  not  sorrow  deeply  for  Mrs.  Winn. 
We  are  just  glad  that  her  reward  was  so  great,  her 
home-going  was  so  painless,  her  coronation  so  glo- 
riously victorious.” 

“Her  life  has  been  a constant  inspiration  to  me, 
and  when  I have  been  tired  and  tempted,  and 
when  I have  been  disappointed  in  my  fellow  work- 
ers and  have  all  but  thought  the  effort  was  not 
worth  while,  times  and  times  without  number  Mrs. 
Winn’s  beautiful  life  of  unswerving  and  of  untiring 
devotion  has  come  to  my  mind,  and  I have  been 
helped  to  go  on  in  the  struggle.” 

“One  of  the  pleasantest  recollections  of  my 
editorship  of  the  ‘Messenger’  (a  little  paper  in 
Japan)  is  the  reception  of  a couple  of  manuscripts 
from  Mrs.  Winn’s  pen.  They  were  so  clearly  ex- 
pressed, so  beautifully  written  and  evidently  the 
expression  of  a devout  and  consecrated  spirit,  that 
they  made  a strong  impression  upon  me  as  they 
passed  through  my  hands.” 

“The  funeral  of  Mrs.  Winn  taught  me  it  was 
time  for  us  not  to  think  of  limitations,  but  of  pos- 
sibilities. Her  strong  faith,  her  power  in  prayer, 
her  quietness  of  spirit,  even  under  the  most  pro- 
voking circumstances,  the  multitude  of  souls  she 
won  for  the  Master,  all  say:  ‘There  are  no  lim- 
itations to  one  of  her  faith  and  consecration!’  ” 

And  now  I am  sure  you  will  want  to  listen  to 
13 


some  tributes  from  the  Japanese.  This  is  from  a 
young  woman  to  whom  a very  real  service  had 
been  rendered: 

“This  evening  when  I came  back  from  a meet- 
ing, Miss  Smith  called  me  to  her  study  and  with 
a pale  look  she  told  me  that  she  had  a very  sad 
news.  But  how  could  I dream  that  it  was  such  a 
sad,  surprising  one!  I have  never  seen  Mrs.  Winn, 
yet  my  heart  yearns  her  dearly.  I am  so  sorry  to 
think  that  my  negligence  has  robbed  me  of  the  last 
chance  to  express  my  hearty  gratitudes  to  her  for 
her  loving  kindnesses  to  me  and  for  what  she  has 
done  for  our  people  groping  in  the  darkness.  I feel 
though  one  of  the  shining  lights  of  this  dark  world 
is  quenched  too  soon.’* 

One  of  our  Japanese  teachers  said  recently: 

“I  was  traveling  alone  several  years  ago  and 
was  very  hot  and  tired  and  without  lunch.  Mrs. 
Winn  did  not  know  me,  yet  she  realized  my  con- 
dition and  opened  her  lunch  basket  and  insisted 
upon  sharing  its  contents  with  me.  Such  kinds  I 
had  never  before  experienced  nor  can  I forget  it.” 

The  first  sense  of  any  comfort  that  crept  into  my 
heart  after  my  agonizing  sorrow  befell  me,  was  in 
listening  to  what  the  Japanese  were  saying  about 
her.  I discovered  that  they  had  rightly  judged  her 
character,  and  they  understood  and  appreciated 
her  far  beyond  anything  I had  supposed  was  pos- 
sible. 

You  no  doubt  have  read  of  the  unprecedented 
action  of  the  Japanese  in  trying  to  honor  her  mem- 
ory. 

The  things  I am  about  to  describe,  come  from 
their  grateful  feelings  which  were  expressed  with 
sobs  and  tears,  as  they  repeatedly  said:  “She  was 
14 


a benefactor  of  our  country;  she  spent  her  life  for 
our  people;  she  died  for  us  in  Manchuria.” 

As  soon  as  the  sad  news  reached  Dairen,  the 
Vice-President  of  the  South  Manchuria  Railway 
sent  me  a long  telegram  of  condolence  and  sorrow. 
A special  car  was  sent  for  my  use  in  returning  to 
Dairen;  and  Christian  officials  were  appointed  to 
accompany  me.  A short  funeral  service  was  re- 
quested before  her  body  went  from  Sen  Kin  Sai, 
where  she  laid  down  her  life.  A tent  was  erected 
for  the  purpose,  and  all  the  highest  officials  and 
their  wives  were  in  attendance  to  show  their  re- 
spect and  grief.  Most  of  the  women  had  been 
earnestly  taught  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  and 
prayed  for  and  with,  by  her  who  now  lay  lifeless 
before  them. 

I began  the  long  sad  journey  at  about  7 p.  m. 
The  Christians  sang  a hymn  as  the  train  moved  out 
of  the  station,  quite  a number  of  them  going  with 
me  to  the  junction,  thirty-one  miles  away. 

After  leaving  that  place  where  a company  met 
the  train,  I had  no  thought  of  any  further  demon- 
strations of  this  kind.  But  all  through  the  night 
and  early  morning  hours,  groups  of  people  came  to 
mingle  their  tears  with  mine  and  unite  their  voices 
in  prayer. 

At  a station  sixty-five  miles  from  Dairen,  a num- 
ber of  friends  had  come  out  to  return  with  me  from 
that  point.  From  that  on,  others  joined  the  com- 
pany at  different  places,  till  my  private  car  was 
filled. 

All  that  night  through  she  had  a triumphal 
procession.  It  seemed  to  me  nothing  less  than  that. 

At  Dairen,  I found  that  committees  had  been 
appointed  to  look  after  every  detail  of  preparation 
15 


for  the  last  sad  rites,  and  that  a very  special  friend 
of  ours  was  the  chairman  of  them  all.  Concerning 
everything,  my  own  and  my  children’s  wishes  were 
followed,  and  all  arrangements  were  beautifully 
carried  out.  One  of  the  richest  men  in  Manchuria 
who  had  recently  become  a Christian,  printed  five 
hundred  copies  of  her  photograph  and  gave  them 
io  friends  throughout  that  province.  So  that  wher- 
ever I go  now,  I find  her  picture  occupying  the 
honored  place  in  the  guest  room. 

To  our  great  surprise  they  begged  to  be  allowed 
to  bear  the  funeral  expenses  and  make  it  a church 
or  state  funeral.  For  the  non-Christian  community 
shared  in  it.  A representative  of  the  Mission  ex- 
pressed the  feeling  of  us  all  when  he  said  it  was  a 
funeral  “befitting  a queen.” 

Later  as  I was  about  to  begin  the  erection  of 
a monument  at  her  grave,  they  came  and  asked  the 
privilege  of  bearing  the  responsibility  and  expenses 
of  this  labor  of  love,  and  to  publish  a biography 
of  her.  It  has  all  been  too  wonderful  for  me  to 
properly  describe  the  love  they  showed  for  her. 

This  fragmentary  recital  is  altogether  inadequate 
to  rightly  set  forth  the  life  and  character  of  which 
I am  speaking.  But,  you  have  heard  enough  to 
convince  you  that  the  beauty  of  the  Lord  was  upon 
her  and  that  He  established  the  work  of  her  hands. 

Such  an  outstanding  fact  as  this  life,  must  have 
had  a cause.  I once  asked  her:  “Lila,  how  old 
were  you  when  you  became  a Christian?”  “Why,” 
she  replied,  “I  don’t  remember  when  I became  a 
Christian.  I think  I was  born  a Christian.”  On 
another  occasion  when  we  were  talking  together  of 
having  more  of  the  Spirit’s  power  manifested  in  our 
work,  I said,  “I  think  you  are  filled  with  the  Spirit, 
16 


and  have  always  thought  so.”  Whenever  I have 
remembered  her  pleased  surprise  at  that  remark,  I 
have  been  glad  that  I made  it!  I sincerely  believe 
that  like  John  the  Baptist,  she  was  filled  with  the 
Spirit  from  her  birth.  The  secret  forces  which 
moved  her  heart  and  will,  were  from  above.  From 
that  source  she  ever  sought  and  received  gracious 
supply. 

Her  prayer-life  was  the  most  real  one  that  I ever 
knew. 

She  was  an  early  riser,  and  those  early  hours 
were  spent  in  prayer.  In  order  to  have  that  time 
for  communion  with  her  Lord,  she  loved  to  be  up 
before  others  were  stirring.  Her  prayers  were  not 
a few  words  hastily  uttered.  She  waited  upon  the 
Lord.  She  had  a prayer  list  of  persons  which  she 
daily  spread  before  the  Lord.  Whenever  it  was 
possible  she  went  to  solitary  places  in  the  woods 
and  upon  the  mountains,  during  those  early  hours, 
with  her  Bible,  for  prayer. 

Often  she  came  back  from  those  places  where 
she  had  been  apart  from  all  others,  her  face  trans- 
figured almost,  as  she  whispered  to  me:  ‘‘I  found 
such  a nice,  beautiful  place  this  morning!” 

When  the  evening  drew  near  the  same  longing 
to  be  at  prayer  took  her  away  from  others.  If  she 
was  sought  for,  she  was  invariably  found  engaged 
in  pleading  with  the  Almighty  Father.  She  loved 
“to  steal  awhile  away  from  every  cumbering  care, 
and  spend  the  hours  of  setting  day  in  humble, 
grateful  prayer.” 

We  are  looking  for  explanation  for  this  life. 
Jesus  explained  it  when  He  said: 

‘‘If  ye  abide  in  me  and  my  words  abide  in  you, 
ask  whatsoever  ye  will,  and  it  shall  be  done  unto 

17 


you.”  ‘‘He  that  abideth  in  me  and  I in  him,  the 
same  beareth  much  fruit;  for  apart  from  me  ye 
can  do  nothing.” 


THE  WOMAN’S  PRESBYTERIAN  BOARD  OF  MISSIONS  OF 
THE  NORTHWEST 
Presbyterian  Offices 

Room  48,  509  S Wabash  Avenue,  Chicago 


Price,  5 cents  each;  50  cents  per  dozen 

18 


MONUMENT  ERECTED  TO  MRS.  WINN  BY  THE  JAPANESE 


I • mi  \m  {?■ 

■ ■ •.  ® '■  rmm  ivJtfo  Ji 

. 


